How Stella Got Her Groove Back
(1998)

HOW STELLA GOT HER GROOVE BACK has a fine first hour. Funny, too,
with Whoopi whooping it up with Angela Bassett's title character in
sunny Jamaica. The bods are hot, the beaches are a beaut, and, at
least while Ms. Goldberg's around, the humor is *just* racy enough.
(Don't miss the Attack of the Lounge Lizards at a PJ party, com-
plete with Speedo sighting!) Hour two is slower, more serious, and
a whole lot steamier. (For added effect, see this in a full house.
Expect to hear "Lord" and "Mercy" used repeatedly.) Alas, we never
do learn about Stella's groove, or why she needed to get it back.
(She just doesn't act that differently after getting laid.) As a
primer on what happens when young dates old, however, everything
plays out pretty much as you'd expect. And, of course, there *are*
worse fates than staring at Ms. Bassett's sleek, sinewy frame for a
couple of hours. With Taye Diggs, Regina King, Suzzanne Douglas,
and Michael J. Pagan. Screenplay by Ron Bass and Terry McMillan,
based on Ms. McMillan's novel. (Rated "R"/125 min.)
Grade: B-
Copyright 1998 Michael J. Legeros
Movie Hell is a trademark of Michael J. Legeros